Obs. Also 6 laine, 6–7 lane. [? f. lain pa. pple. of LIE v.1] A layer, a stratum.
1577. Harrison, England, II. xii. (1877), I. 235. In plastering … of our fairest houses ouer our heads, we vse to laie first a laine or two of white morter tempered with haire, vpon laths.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., XIII. xxx. 279. The bottome being no deeper than as it may conteine one lane of corne or pepper glewed thereupon.
1677. Plot, Oxfordsh., 260. After every six inches thickness of Corn, a stratum of Pebbles,… then Corn again to the same thickness, and so SSS [i.e., stratum super stratum] to ten lains apiece.
c. 1682. J. Collins, Making of Salt in Engl., 121. The Meat … is pack’d … with Salt betwixt every Lane or Lay.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Laines (in Masonry), Courses or Ranks laid in the building of Stone or Brick-walls.
